Converting from Outlook to Mac

I would like to move my .pst file from Outlook (XP / Office 2003) to my new MBA. I have approximately 8 years of mail stored in this file and am not sure what I'm up against when it comes to moving it over.

Do you folks have any suggestions for a mail program? How does iMail work vs Entourage? Any suggestions about an application and the actual moving/switching process would be greatly appreciated.

I had a similar situation when I bought my MBP last month. First of all, if you like outlook or just want a familiar face, get MS Entourage. it is better than outlook and the look/feel is similar. And Entourage is MUCH better than the native email client. I got a copy when I bought the MS office home edition 2008 for the Mac.

To the best of my knowledge there is no direct conversion from a pst file to Entourage or the native email client on OSX 10.5.2. So.... you'll need to buy a $10 piece of software for the pc called O2M . Google it and you’ll find it.

I would like to move my .pst file from Outlook (XP / Office 2003) to my new MBA. I have approximately 8 years of mail stored in this file and am not sure what I'm up against when it comes to moving it over.

Do you folks have any suggestions for a mail program? How does iMail work vs Entourage? Any suggestions about an application and the actual moving/switching process would be greatly appreciated.

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The MacOS X email client is Mail. IMail is a Windows-based mail server from Ipswitch, Inc. That said, Entourage far and away the worst app in the Office:mac suite. You should use it only if you have to access an Exchange server.

As for transferring data from Outlook to the Mac, you may look into O2M. I see no mention of .pst files. I understand that Mozilla's Thunderbird can be used as an intermediary to transfer files from Outlook to the Mac.

I recently switched to Mac as well and had to make the same decision as you do now.

First, you can transfer all your emails using Thunderbird, it's pretty easy and you'll find a wiki if you google for it.

Second, after using Outlook for almost six years I thought I'd give Apple Mail a try. After a couple of days I realized that I didn't need all that stuff that Outlook could do and Mail can't. My mails are now much better organized because I got used to simplify everything.
Although I do have Entourage on my Mac (it comes with MS Office '08) I haver never used it. I love Apple Mail. Steve would say: It's simple yet powerful!

You have Mac's Mail program, Mozilla's Thunderbird, and Entourage in the MS Office:Mac suite to choose from. MS Office is the only one that costs money. Personally I use Mac's built-in Mail client because I don't need anything more than what it offers. It is, indeed, simple yet powerful. I tried Thunderbird, and it wasn't as simple as Mail, but looked a little more function-rich, and many people like it. You can download a Windows version if you want to look at it before switching, too.

The last version of Outlook for the Mac is Outlook 2001. It is a free app whose sole purpose is to allow MacOS 9 users to access Exchange servers. Microsoft's communications client for MacOS X is Entourage which is not file-compatible with any version of Outlook on any platform.

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